Melissa Gerdes
About Melissa Gerdes
Melissa Gerdes serves as faculty for the Dignity Health Mercy Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program and holds the position of System Vice President for Value Based Clinical Strategy at CommonSpirit Health. With extensive experience in healthcare management and a focus on quality outcomes, she has worked in various leadership roles across multiple healthcare organizations.
Current Role at CommonSpirit Health
Melissa Gerdes serves as the Dignity Health Mercy Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program Faculty at CommonSpirit Health since 2021. In this role, she contributes to the education and training of residents, focusing on family medicine. Additionally, she holds the position of System Vice President for Value Based Clinical Strategy, a role she has maintained since 2020. Her work involves developing strategies that enhance clinical outcomes while managing costs within the healthcare system.
Previous Experience at John Muir Health
Melissa Gerdes held multiple positions at John Muir Health from 2017 to 2020. She served as the Executive Medical Director for Clinical Effectiveness and Integration for three years, where she focused on improving clinical practices. Prior to that, she was the Medical Director for Clinical Effectiveness for six months in 2017. Additionally, she worked as the Designated Institutional Official for one year in 2019, overseeing residency programs and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards.
Educational Background
Melissa Gerdes has a diverse educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Studies from Northwestern University. She also completed her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Furthering her education, she participated in the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Texas at Tyler. She studied Business Administration and Management, achieving an Executive MBA from Northern Arizona University, and completed a course in Health Care Quality and Management at the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians.
Expertise in Healthcare Management
Melissa Gerdes possesses significant expertise in managing risk within both payer and provider sectors of the healthcare industry. She has a strong focus on data-driven systems that enhance patient-level quality and total cost of care outcomes. Her passion lies in shaping the future of healthcare delivery through strategic program and project management, ensuring that healthcare systems operate efficiently and effectively.
Role at UCSF Medical Center
Since 2018, Melissa Gerdes has served as an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF Medical Center. In this capacity, she is involved in academic teaching and mentoring, contributing to the education of medical students and residents. Her role emphasizes the integration of clinical practice with educational initiatives, fostering the development of future healthcare professionals.